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Both BMW and Audi shutter vehicle subscription programs

Both BMW and Audi are either cancelling or pausing their respective vehicle subscription programs, Automotive News reports. This is yet another blow to what was once a growing and burgeoning group of automakers introducing pay-as-you-go vehicle subscription options in a number of cities across the U.S. Both Mercedes-Benz and Ford shut down their services last year, and Cadillac turned off the tap in 2018. BMW’s program — Access by BMW — was only ever offered in the Nashville area. A BMW spokesperson explained the companyÂ’s decision making to Automotive News. "Our intent with the pilot was to learn about the viability of the subscription model and gauge customer interest. We are in the process of developing the next iteration of the program,” he said. When that next iteration will arrive is still uncertain. Audi doesnÂ’t claim that a comeback is on the way. Instead, the companyÂ’s website simply says its services are ending on January 31 this year. Audi limited its subscription service to the Texas area throughout its whole campaign. CadillacÂ’s subscription service was promised a reboot a long time ago, and today is the first time weÂ’ve heard some rumbling. ANÂ’s report claims that Cadillac is testing a rebooted version of the service in a dealer pilot now. WeÂ’ve reached out to Cadillac to see if it can provide any further details. As of today, the official Book by Cadillac website says Cadillac “will be debuting a new program in early 2020.” ItÂ’s now early 2021, so Cadillac is officially a year late on its announcement. A number of OEM-run vehicle subscription services still exist (Porsche, Volvo, Lexus, Nissan), but instead of the market expanding, itÂ’s shrinking these days. Related video: Audi BMW Cadillac Car Buying Ownership Luxury

BMW tests M Lap Timer App with M4 Coupe at Brands Hatch

The 2015 BMW M4 looks to include all the necessary ingredients to offer dynamite driving experience. It's an M car after all. But in today's constantly connected world, the experience of hurtling a car around a track isn't always enough.
We want data, and while there are some solid telemetry apps available for smartphones (notably Harry's GPS LapTimer), manufacturers have been a bit slower to develop their own dedicated mobile telemetry trackers for their performance cars. With the new M4, though, BMW is taking the plunge, allowing drivers to track their lap progress through a new app, creatively called the M Lap Timer.
To show off the program, BMW has recruited touring car racer Andy Priaulx to perform a fast lap in an M4 at the UK's Brands Hatch circuit. The accompanying video doesn't do much to show off the app in action. Rather, it give us a stylized look at the metrics as Priaulx hustles BMW's hottest 4 Series coupe around the circuit.

Woman sent to psych ward because police didn't believe she owned a BMW

A woman is suing New York City after she spent eight days in a mental hospital because, she claims, police didn't believe she, a black woman, could own a BMW. Last year, Kamilah Brock was pulled over in Harlem, NY, for having her hands off the wheel, PIX 11 reported. She says she told officers she was dancing while stopped at a red light at the intersection. Police took her into custody and held her for several hours. When Brock was released from the 30th Precinct without any formal charges, police told her she could pick up her car the next day. When she arrived at the impound lot and told officials she was looking for her car - a 2003 BMW 325Cl, she knew there was something wrong as soon as she requested her vehicle. "I just felt like from the moment I said I owned a BMW, I was looked at as a liar," Brock told PIX 11. "They put me in handcuffs and said they just need to put me in handcuffs to take me to my car. And I said OK, whatever it's gonna take to get to my car." Then EMS arrived. She was taken to Harlem Hospital psychiatric ward where she says she was pumped with sedatives and given powerful drugs. Doctors believed she was suffering from bipolar disorder, she claims, and tried for days to get Brock to admit she didn't own the luxury car. They also tried to convince Brock that she wasn't really a banker and President Obama didn't really follow her on Twitter, though both facts are true. The worst part? She was stuck with a $13,000 hospital bill for the pleasure. Brock is currently suing the hospital and several unnamed police officers. Neither the NYPD nor the City's Law Department commented on this story due to ongoing litigation. Government/Legal Weird Car News BMW Ownership Videos lawsuit